Study Group Sogetsu Azalea (SGSA)

(previously: Studiegroep Vlaanderen)
Chairman
Gerda Matthees
Den Huysman 31
B-1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium
tel. +32(0)23 775 365; mobile +32(0)486 378 446
email: gerda.matthees@telenet.be

vice-chairman
Ilse Beunen
Onafhankelijkheidslaan 5
2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
tel. +32(0)32 930 090, mobile +32(0)473 754 373
email: info@ikebana.be

treasurer
Marie-Jeanne Coaert
Drève du Bonheur 3
1150 Brussels, Belgium
tel. +32(0)27624 788, mobile +32(0)475 931 792
e-mail: mj.coaert@hotmail.com

The "Study Group" was founded in 1991 by Jeannine Vanhee-Cordeel who was in charge of the group until Nicole Podoor took over until 2001, when Atsuko Bersma-Tonsen became chairperson.
In February 2001 the Studiegroep Vlaanderen was changed into Study Group Sogetsu Azalea.
Since 2009 Gerda Matthees have become chairperson.

Our aim is to closely follow the latest trends in Sogetsu Ikebana, as our Headquarters in Tokyo publishes them. By studying the developments, we can transmit to our members those technical and creative skills essential to make their own, personal arrangements. Membership to SGSA is limited to teachers and advanced students. There are currently 34 members.

From time, the SGSA gets together with Sogetsu Branch Nederland to organize workshops and/or demonstrations by a visiting Japanese teacher, appointed by Sogetsu School in Tokyo. The SGSA maintains close ties with the Japanese Embassys in Brussel and The Hague.

Exhibitions in Belgium have been held in the Generale Bank in Kortrijk(Courtrai) in december 1993, the Gas Museum in Leuven (Louvain) in april 1997, and in Belgium's National Botanical Garden in Meise ( 2002,2004,2006 and 2008,2009, 2011) and workshops giving by Master instructor Kawana in Vlezenbeek 2009

Names of teachers can be found on the Teachers-page

foto's National Botanical Garden Meise in Belgium, 2011

foto's National Botanical Garden Meise in Belgium, 2009

foto: workshop Master instructor Kawana in Vlezenbeek 2009